…in all living things, the principle that balances permeability is stability. The yogic terms that reflect these polarities are sthria and sukha. In Sanskrit, sthira can mean firm, hard, solid, compact, strong, unfluctuating, durable, lasting or permanent. Sukha is composed of two roots: su meaning good and kha meaning space. It means easy, pleasant, agreeable, gentle, and mild. 1

Renowned yoga teacher, T.K.V. Desikachar defines the terms this way:

sthira is “alertness without tension” and sukha is “relaxation without dullness.” 2

I love this definition as it highlights the interconnection of these qualities: there is some freedom in sthira and some form in sukha. The two forces are not opposites, but interrelated. Sthira and sukha are two sides of the same thing.

The Taoist principle of yin and yang describes the same idea. Like sukha and sthira, yin and yang acknowledges the intrinsic interdependence of light and dark, masculine and feminine, active and receptive. In the classic symbol, notice that there is some light in the dark and some dark in the light – not separate but integrated.

In Nia, we practice with the quality of RAW: Relaxed, Alert, and Waiting. As a new Nia teacher, I joked that I was usually in the state of AW — alert and waiting but not relaxed at all. No big shock. It is my tendency to swing into a hyper-alert place of tension. I have to practice relaxing. I teach (and do everything) better when I have a sthira “alertness without tension” and also a sukha “relaxation without dullness.” By teaching (or doing anything) in a state of AW, I miss that healthful integration.

What do you notice about your relationship to the qualities of sthira and sukha? How could you introduce more balance in anything you do by being both alert without tension and relaxed without dullness?

Share this:

Like this:

Related

Connect with Susan

Everything I do is about creative connection. I respond to every comment, answer every question and reply to every email. Jump in to the comments below or reach out to sjmnia@gmail.com. We're stronger together.

Follow Focus Pocus Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.